Florida Atlantic University Students Protest Proposed Bill Restricting Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Education

BOCA RATON, Florida. Students at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton plan to hold a rally on Wednesday against the proposed bill, which aims to limit programs and activities that Florida universities and colleges may promote or support.

If HB 999 enacted, it prohibits universities or colleges from using any means to promote, support, or support any campus programs or activities that support or accept Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Read the full bill below:

“Free minds equal a free country” is the slogan FAU students are using as they plan to protest on Wednesday afternoon to defend the freedom of education.

Student organizers have stated that they believe HB 999 is aimed at people of color, the LGBT community, and women. In particular, they said that the Florida Legislature violated the basic principles of democracy.

To some, the bill’s wording also appears to limit the programs that colleges and universities in Florida can promote or support, calling into question those programs that focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion.

But a spokesman for the bill’s sponsor Robert Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, said that was not true.

“Purely faculty advisory committees — obviously they will be included — but it’s not at all forbidden for specific student group advisors to continue to be advisors to those student groups,” Andrade said.

Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, argued otherwise during a House committee room discussion.

“Of course, he replied that this would not affect the operation of student activities, student programs, multicultural centers, black student centers, Hispanic student centers, or any student-related activities,” Hinson said. “Though the bill itself seems to affect all these different activities.”

In addition to the protest scheduled for Wednesday at 12:00 pm at the FAU, the organizers also plan to hold a webinar on Wednesday night with some senators and state representatives to further discuss the legislation. You can watch this webinar at Click here.

No amendments to the bill were adopted. His next stop is the Subcommittee on Appropriations for Higher Education.

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